Bloomberg Finds New CEO Smith At The Atlantic

Bloomberg LP announced today that Justin B. Smith will become the chief executive officer of Bloomberg Media Group, which comprises Bloomberg’s television, radio, magazine, conferences and digital businesses globally.

Smith will join Bloomberg LP on Sept. 16, reporting to CEO-President Daniel L. Doctoroff. Andrew Lack, who has served as CEO of Bloomberg Media Group since 2008, will become chairman of Bloomberg Media Group. 

Smith was president of Atlantic Media from 2010 to 2013 and president of Atlantic Consumer Media division from 2007 to 2010. While at Atlantic Media, he spearheaded The Atlantic’s dramatic transformation from a largely print-centric magazine to a digitally-led multiplatform franchise. Under Smith’s leadership, Atlantic Media also launched several new digital platforms including Quartz and Defense One.

“As we build our business around the world, we deeply value leaders who understand the global long-term trends that will change the way people consume and make use of information,” said Bloomberg Chairman Peter T. Grauer. “Justin’s international experience, coupled with his leadership in growing media businesses across new and old platforms, shows that he is the ideal candidate to lead our Media Group.”

Prior to joining Atlantic Media in 2007, Smith was president and publisher of The Week magazine where he launched the U.S. edition in 2001. He joined The Week from The Economist Group, where he was head of corporate strategy in London, Hong Kong and in New York.

Smith also worked for the U.S. Department of State in West Africa and Washington and graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is also a founder of Breaking Media, the Bali Purnati Center for the Arts and the Ouagadougou Education Project.